IMPORTANT! Board of Education Meeting

Dear Clarkstown Residents,

Hi!  I'm writing to you as a fellow Clarkstown resident about an issue that can directly affect your children and your property value.   I am a mother of 3 children who go to Congers Elementary School.  My one son has a learning disability and he is the reason why we ended up in Congers, as Strawtown Elementary School is my "zoned" school.  As I'm sure you are already aware that Congers Elementary School just recently closed.  We were notified about this on September 5, 2013.  

Congers families were separated and placed within 3 different schools: Laurel Plains Elementary, New City Elementary and Lakewood Elementary. Although, the principals, teachers and the PTA's at each of these schools have been incredibly welcoming to our children.  The Congers kids have taken valuable space away from each of these schools.  For example; One of their resource rooms have been given to our classes as well as special education classes had to be combined to accommodate the larger amount of students in the building.  These are just a few examples.  

At this point, The Board of Education does not know what they are going to do with Congers Elementary School. There is a VERY good possibility that they will RE-ZONE all of Congers Elementary School Families for next year. If that should happen EVERY school within the district will ALSO be re-zoned as well.  This basically means that if your kids go to one school this year... they might go to a different elementary school next year.  If you are zoned for South High School you might be re-zoned for North High School.  It also leaves the question as to What will the district do with this property if it doesn't remain a school?  Will they sell it?  To who will they sell it to?  Will the property stay vacant and be open to vandalism? There are lots of open ended questions and concerns that directly affect ALL of Clarkstown residents.

As for now, Congers Elementary School families are fighting to get our kids together under one roof.  It is not fair that families were separated, that we are taking valuable space from the other schools which are now over crowded, and that our school has been completely divided making fundraising and a "sense" of community that our Congers children once had nearly impossible.  I ask you to please think about it as if it was happening to your family. 

There will be a board meeting this Thursday September 12, 2013 at 8:00pm at Clarkstown South High School.  I urge you to please make this meeting so we can show The Board Of Education that we are concerned about our children's futures in the district as well as the value of our properties.   As taxpayers we do have a voice and we have the right to be heard.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  Please forward this to your friends and families in the district so they can be made aware of the future of our school district and the future of our property values.
Thank You, Vicki